Serginho to stay at Atlético Mineiro despite interest from Russia

By Josh Pedley 2012-12-29 18:28:00 20121229

Midfielder Serginho will stay at the Atlético Mineiro next season after the club rejected an offer from an unnamed Russian club.

Serginho, 26, has struggled for playing time under Cuca, as the coach believes the player to be a wildcard, but managed to become an important player towards the end of last season, filling in at full-back and wing-back as Atlético finished second in the Brasileirão.

"The negotiation did not work out," he told Radio Itatiaia.

"It was not very good for the club and for me, I am happy to continue at Atlético, to help the team, which is good, to stay in my town that is Belo Horizonte, good to stay another year and another season."

The midfielder is contracted until 2015 with Atlético and is happy with his contribution last season.

"Glad to have entered into many league games, having given my best and helped the team win many victories, I'm happy to be helping in one way or another for the team.

"2012 was very good, the team was deserving of what happened, unfortunately we did not get the title. But we are happy because of the qualification for the Libertadores," he added.